FESTIVAL OF IDEAS

22 October - 2 November 2008

Special eNews edition

Welcome to a special edition of The Fitzwilliam Museum's eNews informing you about special events, exhibitions and workshops at the Fitz in association with Cambridge University's first-ever Festival of Ideas.

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EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITION PREVIEW DAY: 'I TURNED IT INTO A PALACE'

Image["Preview of 'I turned it into a palace'"]

'I turned it into a palace': Sir Sydney Cockerell and The Fitzwilliam Museum

Sunday 2 November | 12.00-17.00

A chance to see this exciting new exhibition before its official opening. 'I turned it into a palace' brings together the Museum's most spectacular treasures for the first time in celebration of one of the most dynamic periods in the Fitzwilliam's history: the Directorship of Sir Sydney Cockerell from 1908 to 1937.
Presenting a fascinating portrait of Cambridge at the turn of the century, this remarkably diverse exhibition includes works by the Pre-Raphaelites, William Blake and Samuel Palmer, with drawings by Boticelli, Rubens and Turner alongside Ancient Egyptian papyrus, orginal scores by Mozart and Scarlatti and literary autographs by Keats and Hardy, as well as treasures from the Museum's world-class collection of medieval illuminated manuscripts including the Macclesfield Psalter.

HISTORY OF ART TALK SERIES

A series of free lunchtime talks - many in the galleries themselves - given by members of Cambridge University's History of Art Department and Fitzwilliam Museum Keepers

Medieval Treasures in the Fitzwilliam

Wednesday 22 October | 13.15-13.45

An entertaining overview of the many artworks from the Middle Ages in the Museum's collection, in precious metals, ivory and book form.
With Professor Paul Binski, Professor of History of Medieval Art

Refreshingly Different: Mints and Coins

Thursday 23 October | 13.15-13.45

A look at early medieval coins as fascinating glittering documents shedding light on the Dark Ages and beyond.
With Dr. Anna Gannon, Affiliated Lecturer in History of Art

Image["History of Art talks"]

Sculpted Portraits in the 17th and 18th Centuries

Friday 24 October | 13.15-13.45

An exploration of Roubiliac's bust of Henry Herbert, John Bushnell's bust of Charles II and two busts by Rysbrack in the gallery.
With Dr. David Oldfield, Affiliated Lecturer in History of Art

The Fitzwilliam Museum: A Study in the Classical Language of Architecture

Tuesday 28 October | 13.15-13.45

Drawing on a range of antique architectural and sculptural sources, the architects George Basevi, C. R. Cockerell and E.M. Barry created a learned and inspiring classical masterpiece from 1836 to 1875.
With Professor David Watkin, Professor in the History of Architecture

Sex and Violence in Titian

Wednesday 29 October | 13.15-13.45

An examination in the gallery of three paintings in the Museum's collection: Tarquin and Lucretia, Venus and the Lute Player, and the copy of a lost Sleeping Nude of c.1520.
With Professor Paul Joannides, Department of History of Art

Italy and Islam

Thursday 30 October | 13.15-13.45

A discussion of the appearance of Islamic details such as costumes, textiles, carpets and metalwork in Italian Renaissance painting, considering the mechanisms by which these elements reached Italy.
With Professor Deborah Howard, Head of Department and Professor of Architectural History

Ancient Coins from the Black Sea

Friday 31 October | 13.15-13.45

A look at the new exhibition at The Fitzwilliam Museum Bordering the Black Sea: Greeks, Barbarians and their Coins, exploring the history of the Greek colonies on the shores of the Black Sea and their visual traditions through the remarkable imagery on their coinage.
With Dr. Adrian Popescu, Senior Assistant Keeper, Department of Coins and Medals

Dreams and Lies: Poetry and Politics in Picasso's Prints of the 1930s

Friday 31 October | 14.00-14.30 (please note different time)

Exploring Picasso's portfolio The Dreams and Lies of Franco - now on display at The Fitzwilliam Museum - as an extraordinary document of the artist's politcal and personal response to the Spanish Civil War.
With Craig Hartley, Senior Assistant Keeper, Department of Paintings, Drawings and Prints

EVENTS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Image["Egypt at Twilight"]

Egypt at Twilight

Wednesday 22 October | 18.30 - 20.00

Ages 8+: Enter the Museum after-hours and explore the Egyptian galleries by torchlight to discover ancient beliefs about life in the dark. Bring a torch!

Taking a Line for a Walk

As part of nationwide 'Big Draw 2008' celebrations, come and engage with the Museum's collections - materials and suggestions for drawing activities around the Fitz will be available.

FREE, no booking required.

EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Writing Lives: Penelope Lively at The Fitzwilliam Museum

Thursday 23 October | 18.30 (doors open at 18.00)

Award-winning writer Penelope Lively will be considering the unexpected aspects of a writing life after 40 years as a writer, including a discussion of her new book, Consequences. Books will be on sale, and there will be a book signing after the event.

Meet the Experts

Get up close to Ancient Greek, Roman and Medieval Coins and find out more about the Portable Antiquities Scheme, guided by experts. Bring your local finds for identification.

FREE, no booking required

Find out about the Friends of the Fitzwilliam

Saturday 25 October | 14.30-16.00

Meet some active supporters of the Museum - who will celebrate their centenary in 2009 - in the Friends' Room, and see whether you would like to join in their programme of activities.

FREE, no booking required

Image["Find out about the Friends"]

Image["Participating in the Arts"]

Evening event: 'Participating in the arts - a prescription for health improvement?'

Thursday 30 October | 18.30 (doors open 18.00)

Stephen Clift, Professor of Health Education at Canterbury Christchurch University and Director of the Sidney de Haan Centre for Arts and Health, discusses the relationship between mental health and the arts. There will also be the opportunity to view the Courtyard exhibition New Art from Old, a collaboration between the Museum and 'Arts and Minds' presenting new work inspired by the collections.

FREE but booking essential: telephone the Festival of Ideas at 01223 766766

The Materials of Inspiration

Friday 31 October | 14.00-16.00

Paintings have two basic ingredients: imagination and materials. Both are readily available, and this adult workshop with Spike Bucklow shows how to paint using things found in the back-yard.

Palaces in the Night:
The Urban Landscape in Whistler's Prints

A remarkable and atmospheric collection of the city views for which Whistler is most celebrated as a printmaker, including his visions of Venice, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book and Lady Nevell's Book

The most important anthology of 16th and early 17th century English keyboard music in existence is here displayed side-by-side for the first time with William Byrd's collection of virginal music, on loan from the British Library.

Image["Fitzwilliam Virginal Book"]

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For full details of all events and exhibitions at the Museum during the Festival of Ideas, visit: